Dubai starts building bridges to $1.6bn Bluewaters Island

Dubai’s transport authority says work has started on a Dh475 million ($130m) contract to build bridges to a new island being built off the coast of the Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) district.

Bluewaters Island, developed by state-owned property firm Meraas Holding, is set to be built at a cost of $1.6 billion and include a 210-meter Ferris wheel dubbed the ‘Dubai Eye’, which is set to be the world’s largest.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said it had awarded a contract to construct bridges linking the tourist-focused island with the mainland, and that work has commenced.

The contract includes a main two-lane bridge stretching 1400 meters, as well as bridges for a “automated personal rapid transit system” connecting with the Nakheel Harbour & Tower metro station.

“The project also includes the construction of road connections, lighting, bridges and infrastructure works,” said Mattar Al Tayer, chairman and executive director of the RTA.

“The project will be served by a personal rapid transit system to lift visitors from the metro station to the festivities area, a footbridge will be constructed to link the luxury island with the waterfront of the JBR, and a teleferic (cable car) to shuttle visitors from and to the entertainment zone.”

The island – which is anticipated to attract more than three million visitors per year – will include retail, residential, hospitality and entertainment zones, as well as a boutique five-star hotel.

The project however has reportedly faced a challenge from Land Securities Group, owner of the Bluewater shopping centre in the UK, which has objected to the name, according to a Bloomberg report in February.